The Legendary Winter that Was

The Maritimes had a winter like no other. Prince Edward Island had a record-breaking total snowfall of 549.6 cm, which works out to about 18 ft of snow (to date). Fortunately it didn’t fall all at once. Thanks to social media, images of people tunnelling through snowbanks to look for their cars, and Good Samaritans sculpting Grand Canyons so that neighbours could leave their homes, became etched into the popular consciousness.

March 20, moving a lot of fluffy white stuff.

The volume of snow we got here on the South Shore of Nova Scotia wouldn’t faze Northern New Brunswick, but the fact is that we don’t have enough of the heavy equipment needed to handle it around here, as the amount was highly unusual. The usual driveway-clearing equipment, trucks with plows bolted on, were breaking down, and the big backhoes required to liberate some homes were charging $175 per driveway two days after the big storm of March 18. If I were in the snow clearing business, I’d be wondering whether this winter was a harbinger of more climate chaos and if I should invest in heavier equipment.

Many barns around the province caved in, and nurseries lost greenhouses, which are usually uninsurable.

As well as financially and physically, the winter was hard on many people psychologically. The storms came twice a week during a period that some called March Madness, and at times it felt like being bludgeoned repeatedly with a pool noodle reinforced with a hockey stick. There was Snowmageddon and Snowpocalypse and many unnamed storms which continued well into April.

I emerged from the winter with newfound upper body and core strength, and was grateful for my teenaged son who is looking buff these days.

Here are some photos from the winter that was.

Looking south from Crandall Point, March 5

Chipping away at ice in driveway, March 6

Walking on the sea ice to Plum Island March 8. Someone else has been here.

View from the top of Plum I. Oak Island is on the right, Chester ahead.

Formations in the sea ice from rocks in changing tides, March 8.

Bluenose II’s bowsprit dripping into the sunset, March 16, on the Lunenburg waterfront

March 18, after the biggest snowstorm, taken from inside as I dig a path to the door

March 20, finally getting plowed. It took a backhoe to do it.

March 20, moving a lot of fluffy white stuff.

March 23, from the Fisheries Museum in Lunenburg

March 23, Bluenose II’s masts rise above the snow in the parking lot.

March 25, Mailboxes dwarfed by snowbanks

March 27: Good morning. More snow for you.

March 27. More snow.

March 27. That’s what teenagers are for.

March 31. More snow! But so pretty.

These Merganser Ducks would rather be inland, but there’s nowhere to go.

“Well, Margaret, I guess we’ll have to wait it out.”

April 2. Walking on 2 1/2 ft of compacted snow gives a new perspective.

April 5. Robins are back, and having a tough time finding bare ground and worms.